Bourbon and Brown Sugar Baked Brie en Croute

This Brie en Croute is my absolute favorite go-to appetizer ever. It’s fancy enough for an elegant affair or you can just as easily pair it down for a casual gathering. I love hosting wine and cheese parties and this Brie is always the star of the show. I also make it annually for my mom’s Christmas Eve party and it’s the one thing that everyone looks forward to the most. Earlier this month I was one of the lucky few who got to taste J.R. Revelry small batch Bourbon before it hits the market in Atlanta early in 2015. It’s incredibly smooth and easy, so I decided to try it in the Brie. And then we decided to serve it with the Brie. The subtle oaky vanilla flavors compliments the buttery Brie and nutty walnuts perfectly. Just when I thought something perfect couldn’t get any better, it totally did. But don’t take my word for it, you just have to try this out-of-this-world amazing Brie for yourself. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

The complex flavors and interplay between the rich, creamy texture of the buttery cheese and sweetness of the bourbon and brown sugar make this appetizer a pairing candidate for a wide variety of wines. Try a buttery, oaked Chardonnay, fruit-driven Pinot Noir Rose, off-dry Riesling or Gewurtztraminer or a sparkling Champagne.